Preparing for the NASH epidemic: A call to action

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Gastroenterology
• Public Health

Background:

• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) represent a significant and increasing global health burden.
• Current clinical practice reveals substantial discrepancies compared to established management guidelines for NAFLD and NASH.
• A lack of a singular, globally recognized strategy complicates the effective management of these liver conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address management gaps in NAFLD and NASH by developing a unified international strategy.
• To identify key areas for clinical research to advance the treatment and understanding of NAFLD/NASH.
• To promote a coordinated global public health approach to combat the rising prevalence of NAFLD and NASH.

Main Methods:

• An international conference was convened by the American Gastroenterological Association, involving 32 experts from diverse specialties and global regions.
• Discussions and content were informed by a national NASH Needs Assessment Survey.
• A comprehensive review of existing literature on the global burden, screening, risk stratification, diagnosis, and management of NAFLD/NASH was conducted.

Main Results:

• Identification of promising clinical practice approaches for NAFLD/NASH management.
• Development of a unified strategy for primary care providers and specialists covering the full spectrum of NAFLD/NASH care.
• Pinpointing high-yield targets for future clinical research in the field of NAFLD/NASH.

Conclusions:

• A unified, international strategy is crucial for improving the management of NAFLD and NASH.
• Addressing the identified research targets can accelerate progress in understanding and treating these conditions.
• A coordinated global public health response is essential to manage the increasing burden of NAFLD and NASH.